The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation

Having made recent trips to Walt Disney World, Jodi and Bridget join Philip to discuss the new Magic Kingdom attraction Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a 'The Princess and the Frog' re-theming of the log flume ride Splash Mountain based on animated segments from 'Song of the South'. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke, tiktok.com/@jodipolasky47. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Lara discuss 'The Substance' written and directed by French Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. Fargeat and 'The Substance' won Best Screenplay at the festival, and the film has since received many accolades and has earned strong word-of-mouth buzz for its incisive storytelling and its iconic visual style. This sci-fi-infused horror film makes heavy use of practical makeup effects and vibrant production design, and won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress and TV personality who is ending her career has an exercise show host. Devastated by the prospect of aging out of a life of being celebrated for her physical appearance, Elisabeth turns to an experimental "substance" that purports to alleviate some of the difficult aspects of aging. This has a highly disruptive effect on Elisabeth's life, but the lure proves too difficult to resist, and the substance takes hold with the potential for innumerable unforeseen consequences. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip, Lara, Jodi, and Bridget discuss the new Disney animated sequel, 'Moana 2'. Moana returns to screens after eight years since the original. Set a number of years after the first film, the heroine has embraced her role as a wayfinder and is searching for other inhabited islands in an attempt to establish contact with the outside world. After receiving a vision from her ancestors, Moana sets out to an island that once served as the hub of her civilization. There are dark spirits and frightening creatures standing in her way, so it is bound to be a perilous voyage, posing tremendous risk to Moana and her newly formed crew. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke, tiktok.com/@jodipolasky47. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Elliott discuss the most recent Star Wars series from Lucasfilm and Disney Plus, 'Skeleton Crew'. Four kids growing up in the suburbs have their life planned out on the seemingly unremarkable planet At Attin. At Attin's place in the galaxy is shrouded in mystery, however, due to its secretive role as a Republic mint holding countless credits in its vaults. Fern, KB, Wim, and Neel discover a crashed pirate ship and are taken on an an adventure with the help of pirate droid SM33 and the roguish Jod Na Nawood. Their desire to return to the safety of home is complicated by their home planet's vulnerability should its location ever be discovered by their pirate pursuers. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget and Philip talk about 'Spellbound' (2024), a new animated musical from Netflix and Skydance Animation. This is the second animated feature to come from Skydance after 'Luck' (2022) and is directed and co-written by 'Shrek' director Vicky Jenson. The film takes viewers to the enchanted, or rather, cursed, kingdom of Lumbria, ruled by King Solon and Queen Ellsmere. Their daughter, Princess Ellian, must determine whether to become queen, since the king and queen were transformed into feral monsters and have been hidden away in the palace for a year. Ellian manages to contact two oracles who are unable to reverse the enchantment but point her toward a possible solution. She must guide the two lizard-like monsters on a journey to a lake of light, but must contend with the fact that this perilous quest will likely leave her, her kingdom, and her family forever changed. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke, visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Lara discuss the new film from Focus Features and Robert Eggers, a remake of the 1922 German silent film 'Nosferatu.' Eggers brings his signature austere style to this classic Gothic horror story, originally an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula.' Key details were changed from the book, but that didn't stop the original film's legacy from being threatened by the forcible destruction of all prints due to copyright infringement. Thankfully the film lives on and Max Shreck's iconic portrayal of the corpse-like Count Orlok would go on to inspire generations of vampire enthusiasts. Bill Skarsgård provides a unique take on Count Orlok as he haunts and seduces his unwitting victims, such as the newlywed Thomas and Ellen Hutter and their friends Frederick and Anna Harding. This dark, atmospheric film evokes the previous works of Eggers whose obsessive attention to detail transports you to 1830s Germany, where the fear of plagues and sorcery were ever-present, often requiring tremendous sacrifice to thwart the evil that infects the world. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Mele Kalikimaka as the ThawedCast covers 'Moana,' the monumental 2016 film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by longtime Disney Animation dynamic duo John Musker and Ron Clements, and co-directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams. Bridget, Lara and Philip revisit the mythical ancient Polynesian world of Moana of Motunui (Auli'i Cravalho) and her adventures with the demigod Maui (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). Moana--a princess of sorts as the daughter of the chief--is faced with inheriting the leadership of an insular island nation that has abandoned its seafaring roots. However, she must learn to sail in order to restore the Heart of Te Fiti, a magical relic bestowed on her by the ocean. Failing in her mission would doom her island to a growing famine. Guided by her grandmother's spirit and the power of the ocean, she first seeks out the aid of the shapeshifter Maui. He reluctantly agrees to accompany her, first to retrieve his magical fishhook, and then to potentially face the perils posed by the demon Te Kā, who has corrupted the influence of the nature goddess Te Fiti. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

The ThawedCast celebrates the release of ‘Wicked: Part I' from Universal Pictures, 21 years after the Broadway musical made its sparkling debut. Jodi, Lara, Bridget, and Philip discuss the new 160-minute film which concludes at the intermission point of the stage version. This ‘Wizard of Oz' prequel began as a 1995 Gregory McQuire novel depicting a darker, more adult take on the original mythology conceived by L. Frank Baum. The film doesn't shy away from borrowing heavily from the imagery of the seminal 1939 Judy Garland film, but it certainly provides a different take on the characters, positioning Elphaba, future Wicked Witch of the West, as the main hero of the story. Elphaba's widowed father only grudgingly allows her to leave home in order to help care for her paraplegic younger sister, as the two enroll at the prestigious Shiz University. There, Elphaba meets Galinda, future Good Witch of the North. This iconic pair embark on a fateful rivalry that evolves heavily over the course of the film. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke, tiktok.com/@jodipolasky47. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget, and Philip convene prior to Thanksgiving to sneak in a quick episode about a holiday classic (Passover, in this case)--2019's 'Uncut Gems,' directed by brothers Josh and Benny Safdie. Adam Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a jewelry dealer in Manhattan's Diamond District. He and his associates, Demany and Julia (LaKeith Stanfield and Julia Fox), work together to attract a high-profile clientele. Kevin Garnett stars as himself as an interested buyer of a mysterious black opal recently obtained by Howard. Set during the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals, 'Uncut Gems' imagines an outcome to the series perhaps influenced by Garnett's connection to the opal, as he feels drawn to it. Howard first needs Garnett to win the opal in an auction where he hopes to gain a large enough profit to pay off a gambling debt. When this plan falters due to the opal's poor valuation, Howard sneakily uses the reduced earnings to place a bet on Garnett, now in possession of the opal, hoping KG will score big in game 7. This Rube Goldberg mousetrap of a film sees Howard go from a failed family man pleading with his wife (Idina Menzel), to uptown playboy renting helicopters, to cornered con fending off loan sharks. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. tiktok.com/@jodipolasky47, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

In celebration of Wicked Month, Philip, Bridget, and Lara discuss the 2015 LucasFilm animated feature, 'Strange Magic.' Featuring the voice talents of Evan Rachel Wood, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth, this fairytale combines the fantasy romance of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream' and the musical tastes of George Lucas, who curated this jukebox musical's all-pop soundtrack. The musical selections range from the titular song by ELO and the main protagonist's eponymous "C'mon Marianne" by The Four Seasons to more recent hits from Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson. Marianne is a fairy princess who abruptly ends her engagement to the self-obsessed knight Roland. Presumptive heir to the fairy kingdom, she must follow her destiny to protect her kingdom from the Dark Forest as well as from the scheming Roland. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Samara and Philip review and discuss the found-footage horror film from directorial sibling duo Cameron and Colin Cairnes, 'Late Night with the Devil.' This re-creation of a 1970s late night talk show, the fictional "Night Owls" with Jack Delroy, depicts one night of the show gone horribly wrong, as the broadcast becomes infiltrated by an evil force. Desperate to rise to the top of the ratings, Delroy pulls out all the stops for his 1977 Halloween special, bringing on a colorful panel of guests culminating with a psychologist and her patient. Each round of guests successively leads the show down the road toward a hellish outcome, providing a spectacle that confirms the old adage for Delroy: Careful what you wish for. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/samara_ehlke9, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Elliott chat about 'Transformers One,' the new animated film from Paramount Animation depicting the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons and their respective leaders, Optimus Prime and Megatron. These central characters within the Transformers franchise begin as humble miner bots on Cybertron, a planet ravaged by conflicts that have depleted its key natural resource, Energon, needed for life to exist on Cybertron. In order to become Transformers, miner bots would need to acquire a "cog," which are also scarce. The ambitious miners simply known as Orion Pax and D-16 hatch a plan to attempt to raise all miners' status within Cybertronian society, all while attempting to unlock the secrets of their world's mysterious past. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Hayao Miyazaki directs the latest film from Studio Ghibli, 'The Boy and the Heron' (2023). This Oscar-winning film serves a magnum opus for a venerated animator nearing the end of his career, reflecting on his early life in this quasi-autobiographical fantasy. Mahito Maki leaves his home in Tokyo following the death of his mother in a World War II firebombing. Raised in a wealthy family, Mahito struggles to get along with his peers at his new rural school. He spends his time exploring his maternal family's palatial estate, including an abandoned tower that holds a profound secret. A mysterious gray heron beckons him to enter the tower, and when it appears his aunt-turned-stepmother has gone to the tower as well, Mahito hurries after her, plunging headfirst into a glimpse at destiny itself. Join Philip, Jodi, and Bridget as they discuss this animated epic. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Bridget discuss the 1984 film from Hayao Miyazaki 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind," the film that kick-started the animation output of Studio Ghibli, co-founded by Miyazaki in 1985. Based on a manga series by Miyazaki, the film takes place in an environmentally ravaged word a millennium after a major apocalyptic event. The remaining human population struggles to survive alongside vast expanses of inhospitable toxic jungles and the giant insects that inhabit them. Nausicaä, the adventurous Princess of the Valley of the Wind, gets caught up in the tribal struggles of two adjacent kingdoms; one of which has awakened an ancient weapon it foolishly hopes can ward against the various existential threats to humanity. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: x.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Samara discuss the latest film in the 'Alien' franchise, 'Alien: Romulus.' This new release from Twentieth Century studios and director Fede Alvarez delivers sci-fi thrills and chills as a group of young colonists attempt to escape their bleak circumstances. Their opportunity comes when a wayward research station is pulled into orbit above their hazardous mining planet. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/samara_ehlke9, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip, Jodi, and Lara discuss the 90s blockbuster 'Twister' and growing up in the 1990s in rural environments. Also discussions on modern blockbusters and introducing kids to media. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Find us at instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Bridget discuss the latest film from Pixar Animation, Inside Out 2, the smash hit sequel to 2015's Inside Out. Riley Andersen is on summer break just as her emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, are forced to reckon with a major renovation to their Headquarters. The upgrades, a.k.a. puberty, have resulted in the creation of all-new emotions: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui, much to the Original Five's dismay. These newer, more complex emotions clash with the old over control of Riley's mind, especially when it becomes clear that the new emotions were never meant to replace the old ones. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Philip and Bridget discuss the sequel to 'Dune' from 2021, concluding Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of the original 'Dune' novel by Frank Herbert. After the massacre of House Atreides on Arrakis, the Harkonnens have retaken their stronghold over spice and resumed their war with the Fremen. Paul Atreides and his mother, Jessica, enlist the help of Fremen leaders to organize a resistance capable of crippling the Harkonnens and commanding the attention of the Emperor. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Jodi discuss the 2022 film from Jordan Peele and Universal Pictures, 'Nope', an alien-abduction tale with a few genre twists. OJ and Emerald Haywood are a brother-and-sister duo who experience strange phenomena on their horse ranch and attempt to capture images of what they believe to be a real UFO. They enlist the help of Angel, a security camera technician and Antlers, a cinematographer, to capture the ultimate "Oprah shot" of the elusive craft. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Elliott discuss some recent animated offerings from the Star Wars universe, 'The Bad Batch' and 'Tales of the Empire'. Both series depict the transition from the era of the Jedi and the Republic into the tyrannical Empire secretly controlled by the evil Sith. The Bad Batch follows a select group of clones with desirable mutations who have formed their own mercenary team following the events of Order 66 and the Clone Wars. 'Tales' follows former Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth in her embrace of imperialism after witnessing her people massacred by separatists. The series then switches perspectives midway to former Jedi Barriss Offee on her path to joining the ranks of the ominous Imperial Inquistors. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip, Bridget, and Jodi chat about musicals, film franchises, motherhood and other entertainment hopes and hangups in the ever-evolving 2024 media landscape. Will new throwback franchise installments like 'Twisters' inject some much needed life into the box office? Or will new properties like 'The Fall Guy' and 'IF' provide a sense of originality that audiences are craving? Plus some thoughts about the upcoming 'Wicked' adaptation and 'Wish' on Disney Plus. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

After the chickens escape the Tweedys' farm in 2000's 'Chicken Run,' they settle on a secluded island and enjoy their newfound freedom. In this stop-motion sequel, again from the claymation experts at the UK's Aardman animation studio, the heroic duo Ginger and Rocky have hatched a daughter named Molly. Molly grows to be as adventurous and freedom-loving as her parents, and resolves to explore the world outside their chicken oasis. However, the human threat to chickens has only grown to encompass a much greater new peril: fast food. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

The first feature animated film from Aardman, the animators of the famous 'Wallace and Gromit' stop-motion "claymation" short films, 'Chicken Run' was one of DreamWorks' first great successes as an up-and-coming rival to Disney and Pixar. The film is an homage to World War II prisoner-of-war stories like 'The Great Escape' and 'Stalag 17', depicting its cast of toothy, anthropomorphic chickens in their attempts to escape captivity from a rural English egg farm. One hen in particular, Ginger, is determined to lead the coop to freedom, and a chance encounter with a flying rooster named Rocky gives her renewed hope that she and her fellow hens will escape by making one slight alteration to their strategy: by flying over the fence. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Bridget and Philip discuss ‘A Whiker Away,' a 2020 anime film from Studio Colorido, Toho Animation and Twin Engine and distributed on Netflix. The film follows Miyo, a fanciful eighth grader in Japan who finds herself embroiled in a Faustian bargain with a feline seller of magical Noh masks. Her newfound power to transform into a cat provides a welcome escape from the stresses of her unhappy life, but she runs the risk of losing sight of the many people who love and are concerned for her. Can the love of family and friends stop Miyo from falling fully for under a cat spell forever? Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

'Suzume' is the 2022 animated feature from CoMix Wave Films and the seventh film from writer/director Makoto Shinkai, who most recently saw global crossover success with 'Your Name' (2016) and 'Weathering with You' (2019). 'Suzume' is a supernatural adventure wherein the eponymous heroine accompanies the mysterious Souta across Japan on a quest to track down Daijin, a mischievous cat-god who places a curse on Souta. Along the way they must close several gates that are unleashing restless spirits upon humanity. Failure to do will spell certain disaster for a populace whose ignorance has only inflamed the earthquake-yielding wrath of the spirits. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Jodi review 'Wish', the 62nd animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios. 'Wish' continues a legacy that is currently being celebrated in the Walt Disney Company's 100-year anniversary as the foundation upon which the rest of the company is built. The Disney Empire has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1923 as a company set up by Walt and Roy Disney to produce short cartoons. The role of animation as the core of the company has fluctuated significantly, from nearly seeing the animation division shut down in the mid-eighties to the highs of the nineties Renaissance. Despite a post-Covid, post-Disney+ cooling at the box office, Disney Animation continues its output of blockbuster-level films with a story inspired by the Wishing Star referenced in the company logo and theme song, "When You Wish Upon a Star." In 'Wish' we follow Asha, a new heroine who aspires to apprentice under the benevolent sorcerer-king Magnifico, who has power over wishes. The purity of one of Asha's wishes outshines Magnifico's power and makes him envious, sending an idyllic kingdom into a precarious state of discontent as it suffers under increasingly evil and despotic rule. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Lara joins Philip to reminisce about ten years of Disney's 'Frozen'. They discuss the film's influence and how the film and animation industries have changed since 2013. They also explore the fandom of 'Frozen' and Disney more generally and consider the future for the franchise in the context of Disney's status as a film studio in 2023. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Find us at instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Elliott discuss the latest live-action Star Wars series from Lucasfilm and Disney Plus, 'Ahsoka,' spotlighting the popular Jedi who first appeared in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars.' Ahsoka Tano is portrayed by Rosario Dawson in this eight-episode exploration of the roving former Jedi. Ahsoka is searching for clues to the location of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who disappeared years prior along with Rebel hero Ezra Bridger. Rumors abound of Thawn's possible return, and his leadership could prove devastating to the frail New Republic. A small band of heroes must work together to thwart the actions of a secretive group of agents who are working to unlock the secret route to a faraway planet--a world that plays host to mysteries pivotal to the future of the galaxy. This may prove too tempting a Pandora's box to simply allow it to remain unopened, as it may be the key to rescuing Ezra. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget and Philip discuss the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola Film 'Bram Stoker's Dracula.' This film follows the 1897 'Dracula' novel and lends a signature artistic flourish courtesy of Coppola's visionary direction and diverse practical visual effects, vibrant costumes, ornate period sets and atmospheric score. Originally conceived as a minimalist adaptation of the original source material, Coppola along with his son Roman, who has worked on numerous music videos and Wes Anderson films, decided to expand what would have been an eccentric costume drama into a scrappy Gothic epic employing many unconventional techniques and creative choices more a film from classic Hollywood, and what results is a truly unique cinematic classic that feels simultaneously grand and intimate, with a stellar cast lending a timeless theatricality to the project. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Bridget and Philip discuss the new animated film from Paramount and Nickelodeon Studios, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.' Directed by 'Mitchell's vs the Machines' alumni Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears, 'Mutant Mayhem' incorporates numerous hand-drawn elements to enhance the cel-shaded 3D animated world of the Ninja Turtles. This new take on the franchise introduces the supervillain "Superfly," who shares a common origin with the Turtles. Initially tempted to join Superfly and his gang, and feeling stifled in their situation under their surrogate father and master, the boys Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael decide to seek favor in the eyes of humanity with the help of the PR-savvy journalist April O'Neil. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Jodi discuss 2010's 'TRON: Legacy,' the long-awaited sequel to 1982's 'TRON' starring Jeff Bridges as a plucky computer programmer who gets sucked into the computer world. This seminal "legacy sequel" from Joseph Kosinski, who would go on to direct the 2022 mega-hit 'Top Gun: Maverick,' also stars Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn and centers around Kevin's son Sam, who lost contact with his father who has been missing since 1989. Bruce Boxleitner returns as Alan Bradley/Tron and Olivia Wilde costars as the enigmatic Quorra. Sam and Alan receive their first sign of contact from Kevin in two decades, and Sam's investigation leads him to the mythical "digital frontier" from his father's bedtime stories. Though a third TRON film has long been rumored, the series has seen some recent rejuvenation with Walt Disney World attraction 'TRON: Lightcycle Run,' which opened in Magic Kingdom in April 2023. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Wes Anderson's genre-bending, fourth wall-breaking new film 'Asteroid City' features a colorful cast collected in a remote desert setting. The government research hub of Asteroid City has few permanent residents but plays host to a science convention honoring the achievements of brilliant young minds. Suddenly, a quarantine befalls Asteroid City, and whether or not this eclectic congregation is allowed to leave their impromptu purgatory unscathed, it's clear that some characters carry their cage with them. Perhaps this is the diversion they need to escape their own personal prison. Philip and Jodi discuss the film's fantastical whimsy, compelling characters and wry observations on creativity and human nature. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Jodi discuss the latest film from Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures, 'Oppenheimer,' documenting the Manhattan Project and the life of its co-leader and chief researcher, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer would earn the nickname "Father of the Atomic Bomb" and later "American Prometheus" as the person most responsible for the creation and testing of nuclear weapons, of which only two have ever been used in combat. Despite this, the implications of this technology are haunting, and Oppenheimer retains one of the most complicated legacies of any key figure of the twentieth century. This film details the political manipulation he endured as a morally flawed, tortured genius whose work would inevitably be used in ways he abhorred, but for which he is ultimately responsible--a fitting avatar for mankind itself. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Bridget, Lara, and Philip discuss 'Barbie' from Warner Bros. and Mattel. This motion picture phenomenon is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie as Barbie, or "Stereotypical Barbie" as distinguished from all the other Barbies in Barbieland. Ryan Gosling plays her Ken, who exists to impress Barbie but often goes underappreciated. We follow Stereotypical Barbie as she starts feeling sensations of dissatisfaction with her idyllic yet highly artificial existence. With the guidance of "Weird Barbie," Barbie learns she must go to the real world and find the doll owner who is sending out these negative thoughts. Can Barbie's mission resolve her existential crisis or could this risk jeopardizing the entirety of Barbieland should these feelings of existential crisis continue to spread? Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Find us at instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

'Nimona' is an animated film released by Netflix on June 30, 2023. It was produced by Annapurna Pictures and the animation team formerly of Blue Sky, the studio behind 'Ice Age' (2002) and 'Spies and Disguise' (2019) and a casualty of the Disney/21st Century Fox acquisition. Nimona is set in a world of futuristic technology combined with medieval chivalry and opens on the televised knighting ceremony of Ballister Boldheart. Immediately upon being knighted, Sir Ballister is framed for assassination and forced on the run. Wounded and desperate, he encounters a mysterious young girl who seems impervious to danger. Nimona is a shapeshifter who volunteers to assist Ballister in his efforts to evade capture and clear his name. This uneasy alliance could upend everything Ballister has come to value as a knight, exposing a darkness that has always existed within the order he has sworn to protect. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

'Elemental' is the new film from Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Studios, directed by Peter Sohn. Philip and Bridget discuss the new film all about two characters who are of two opposite extremes. Ember is a being made of fire who comes from an immigrant family and Wade comes from the city's long-established water community. Their conflict blossoms into a potential romance as they discover the ways they complement each other through their differences. Discover how such hyperbolic characters manage to navigate each one's professional-, home-, and love-life through such precarious circumstances as would be experienced by persons entirely composed of water, earth, fire, or air. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Jodi are joined by 'The Little Mermaid'-superfan Lara Akal to review the 2023 'The Little Mermaid' from Disney. This film reimagines the 1989 Disney animated original in live action with a fresh cast and additional songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Alan Menken returns to score and Howard Ashman's legendary lyrics have been revived once again for an ambitious encore. This latest adaptation of a Disney classic is sure to be one of the most celebrated, despite having its share of criticism and controversy. The mermaid Ariel is a princess of peerless song and beauty and seeks to build a bridge with the world above her--the brave, seafaring Prince Eric being the perfect partner with whom to do so. The magic of the underwater realm can afford her the ability to exist on land, but her hastily-chosen spellcaster has ulterior motives that could spell doom for Ariel and her father's kingdom. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. Find us at instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Elliott discuss the latest release from Marvel Studios, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3' written and directed by James Gunn. The Guardians must race to save the life of one of their members after a surprise encounter with an agent of the High Evolutionary, a maniacal scientist and warlord with aims to create a perfect utopia under his control. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget and Philip discuss the new Max Original animated series ‘Fired on Mars' available on HBO Max. Jeff Cooper is a graphic designer for the tech giant Mars.ly, and has recently been transferred to their corporate offices on planet Mars. He awaits the day when he can finally start a new life with his partner Hannah, who is scheduled to arrive the following year. Jeff's life is thrown into disarray when he is notified that his position has been laid off, leaving him stranded on Mars without a job and completely at the mercy of the Mars.ly facilities. Deprived of a sense of belonging, Jeff embarks on a quest to find a new purpose: hopefully one that can help him improve his self-confidence and acquire the skills necessary to fill one of the few roles available on the lonely red planet. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Bridget talk about season 3 of Lucasfilm's 'The Mandalorian' on Disney Plus. This season finds Din Djarin and Grogu searching for the Living Waters of Mandalore. Din believes he can work with his fellow Mandalorians to restore their homeworld and reunite their people. The disgraced Bo-Katan Kryze is one of the few people who can lead a fractured Mandalore, but first she must earn the trust of the fundamentalist Children of the Watch along with her own former band of mercenaries. Meanwhile, Imperial remnants are secretly reorganizing, threatening a vulnerable New Republic. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' is the record-shattering 2023 film adaptation of the beloved 'Super Mario Bros.' video game franchise from Nintendo. Philip, Bridget, and Alex review the new animated release from Universal Pictures and Illumination, delving into the whimsical fantasy of the Mushroom Kingdom along with New York City plumbers Mario and Luigi, whose epic adventure finds them face-to-face with all kinds of colorful characters. The menacing King of the Koopas, Bowser, is bearing down on Princess Peach's castle in his latest move toward conquest. Meanwhile, Mario and Peach set out to seek aid from the neighboring jungle and its leaders Kranky and Donkey Kong. Is their any hope of stopping Bowser? Are Mario and Luigi doomed to meet their fate in this strange magical world? Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ayeedeezy, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Bridget, Jodi and Philip review the Oscar-winning 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' a wild visual spectacle from directors Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and A24 Films. Released in April 2022 in the United States, 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' features a Chinese immigrant couple struggling to keep up with the pressures of their laundromat business. During a visit to the local IRS office, Evelyn, played by Michelle Yeoh, is visited by an alternate version of her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) suddenly inhabiting his body. He informs her that the Evelyn from his universe was a scientist who discovered inter-dimensional travel, but now he needs the help of laundromat-Evelyn to save the multiverse from collapsing. Can Evelyn awaken the hero lying dormant inside her, or will all of existence succumb to the certain doom that awaits her business--and perhaps her family as well. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget and Philip review the 2022 'Pinocchio' adaptation from renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Netflix. Filmed using stop-motion puppetry, del Toro co-directs with Mark Gustafson a film that reflects the signature dark whimsy of del Toro's earlier films, unafraid to delve into heavy symbolism involving war and loss. The wartime setting is punctuated by numerous colorful characters and moments of strong levity, offering a familiar yet fresh take on the classic story. Pinocchio's journey through late-1930's Italy is full of twists and turns that leave you breathless. Discover how Pinocchio narrowly escapes peril in this life and beyond, seeking to somehow return to a place of peace and belonging alongside his cricket companion his father Gepetto. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget and Philip review and discuss the 2022 animated film 'The Sea Beast' from Netflix. Walt Disney Animation Studios veteran Chris Williams writes and directs on a film that follows in the footsteps of his past efforts including 'Bolt,' 'Big Hero 6,' and 'Moana.' 'The Sea Beast' offers epic adventure on the high seas where we follow the crew of the 'Inevitable,' the greatest hunters of the terrible sea creatures that haunt the deep. Maisie Brumble is an orphan obsessed with Hunter lore and stows away on the 'Inevitable' to ingratiate herself with Captain Crow and officers Jacob Holland and Sarah Sharpe. Maisie's quick thinking saves the ship during a creature encounter but causes herself and Jacob to be stranded on an island full of creatures. In order to escape, they must rethink their entire relationship to the sea beasts and reevaluate their place amongst the Hunters. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Bridget discuss a variety of pop-culture topics including AI art being sold at conventions, free shipping, the gig economy, and the pressures of standardized education. The rapid movement of commerce via online and tech-based innovation has been a source of tremendous excitement since the advent of the Internet, but eventually the excitement wears off and people necessarily adapt to a more sustainable model. Sure, there are those who will try to exploit the recent advancements in things like AI and online streaming, but there are inevitable costs to these new technologies of which we can only speculate. How to improve education poses an increasing challenge as one's mental health can easily be affected by the pressures of meeting standards, to the detriment of proper education and enrichment. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

The first entry in the now-ubiquitous 'Sonic the Hedgehog' film franchise starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey, with Ben Schwartz providing the voice of the classic Sega mascot, 'Sonic the Hedgehog' was released in early 2020 to an enthusiastic audience. The movie managed to win over a younger crowd who had inherited the legacy of the 90s icon, and it generally appealed to longtime fans of the series. Jim Carrey delivers his fully-fledged singular brand of physical comedy in a true return to form, and Paramount Pictures narrowly avoided crippling disaster by revamping its original CGI Sonic model featured in the teaser trailer, later immortalized as "Ugly Sonic" from 'Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers' (2022). Philip, Bridget, and Alex break down the film's merits and discuss a broad range of video game-related topics including streaming series and theme parks, along with some A.I. talk. The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ayeedeezy, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' is the sequel to 2011's 'Puss in Boots' and is the sixth film in the 'Shrek' franchise from DreamWorks Animation. Philip and Bridget discuss this new theatrical release, the studio's 43rd feature, and measure it up against today's cinematic landscape. 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' finds the literary hero Puss reckoning with his potential demise. The dashing rogue's hard living has nearly caught up to him, and he now finds himself on his ninth and final life. He befriends a stray dog and is roped into one last adventure with Kitty Softpaws. They must steal the map to the wishing star from the evil Jack Horner and brave a treacherous, ever-changing forest full of dangers and temptations. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip and Bridget discuss 'Strange World' from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary and its feature animation division's 61st animated film, coinciding with a new castle logo redesign to celebrate the centennial milestone. With a premise pulled from pulp novels of the early twentieth century, 'Strange World' places viewers in the mysterious Victorian-styled land of Avalonia. Jaeger Clade is a famous explorer whose life's mission is to find passage through the impenetrable mountains surrounding the known world. Raised to follow in his father's footsteps, Searcher Clade abandons exploration in favor of science and learns to cultivate an energy-rich plant called Pando that technologically revolutionizes Avalonia. When the power of Pando is suddenly threatened, three generations of Jaegers must attempt to solve the problem and learn to work together as a family that hasn't always seen eye-to-eye. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Philip is joined by his sister Samara and her husband Elliott in discussing the new 'Star Wars' series on Disney+, 'Andor'. This live-action sci-fi drama details the origin of Cassian Andor, co-protagonist of the 2016 film 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' about the mission to steal the Death Star plans from the evil Galactic Empire. Cassian finds himself a reluctant participant in a nascent rebellion after his talents are noticed by rebel organizer Luthen Rael. With the secret backing of key political figures like Senator Mon Mothma and the versatility of operatives like Andor, Rael seeks to unite the rebel cause against an increasingly oppressive Empire. It is a deadly game of duplicity and intrigue in which no one is safe, and anyone is liable to be sacrificed for the greater good of ridding the galaxy of its Imperial shackles. Although, perhaps opinions differ on how much of one's humanity may be sacrificed whilst retaining hope for a brighter future. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/samara_ehlke9, instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget, and Philip return to the world of 'Enchanted' in its sequel 15 years in the making. Set around a decade after the original film, Giselle and Patrick have a child of their own, the infant Sofia, and Morgan is entering her senior year of high school. They move from their Manhattan apartment to the idyllic suburb of Monroeville, but Morgan (and to a lesser extent Robert) is unhappy with the change. Despite having a more-or-less amicable relationship with her teenage stepdaughter, the added friction of the move casts a gloom over the household that Giselle attempts to lift by resorting to magic. Using a wishing wand gifted to Sofia by King Edward and Queen Nancy of Andalasia, Giselle wishes for the fairytale life she was hoping Monroeville would provide, but the wand's spell proves to be far more effective than Giselle ever would have anticipated.... Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com

Jodi, Bridget, and Philip discuss the seminal 2007 Disney animated/live-action hybrid 'Enchanted,' from director Kevin Lima. This film would usher in the post-Rennaissance era of the Disney Princess which saw a soft revival with 'The Princess and the Frog' and truly exploded with CGI hits like 'Tangled' and 'Frozen.' Amy Adams portrays Giselle, a beautiful princess hidden away in the countryside of the kingdom of Andalasia. With a prologue lifted mostly from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' an evil queen desperate for power refuses to allow her stepson Prince Edward's marriage to Giselle to go through. Giselle is banished to another realm and finds herself in 2007 New York City, where she meets and befriends Patrick Dempsey's Robert and his daughter, Morgan. Entrenched in his own busy lifestyle, Robert has no time for Giselle and her fantasies but somehow can't help but be drawn to her. When Giselle is followed to New York by Edward and the Queen's henchman, a plot ensues that could spell a dire fate for Giselle and everyone around her. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/jodipolasky, instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com